WVU grad and Elkins native Nancy H. Nielsen, MD, PhD, immediate past president of the American Medical Association, will be the keynote speaker at the 2010 Charleston Area Alliance Annual Celebration, to be held Thursday, June 3, at the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences.

“We are proud to bring another nationally prominent Mountaineer home to West Virginia to share insights on the critical issues of the day,” said Alliance President/CEO Matt Ballard.  “At the height of the U.S. economic crisis last year, we featured entrepreneur Ray Lane, who said innovation was the key to recovery.   Now, with health care front and center of the national agenda, we can think of few speakers whose appearance could be more timely than Dr. Nielsen.” 

CISCO CEO John Chambers and Intuit president Brad Smith are among other West Virginians who have addressed the Alliance at its major fundraiser of the year.

“Health care expenses now constitute one-sixth of the U.S economy and present a growing burden to businesses and state governments,” said Alliance Senior Vice President JoEllen Zacks.  “Dr. Nielsen’s perspective on costs and access to care will be particularly relevant to our members and anyone concerned about the future of our businesses and West Virginia.

“I am also pleased that Dr. Nielsen will be our first female keynote speaker,” she added.

Dr. Nielsen entered medical school at age 29 after having five children. She recently was named a Distinguished Alumni of West Virginia University, from which she received her undergraduate degree.   She holds a doctorate in microbiology and received her medical degree from State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo School of Medicine, where she is a clinical professor of medicine and senior associate dean for medical education. 

For sponsorship or other information, contact JoEllen Zacks at (304) 340-4253, jzacks@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org.